An adolescent has been criminally charged in a fire that was set earlier this week at a Helena grocery store.

Helena firefighters responded Monday to a fire at Publix on Highway 17.

They arrived to find a fire in the bathroom that had reached the ceiling and activated the store’s fire suppression system, causing significant damage, said Helena police Chief Brad Flynn.

Firefighters immediately determine the blaze had been intentionally set. Police quickly launched a criminal investigation.

Within an hour, Flynn said, detectives had identified an 11-year-old as a person of interest, who was taken into custody at an Alabaster home.

The child, who police are not identifying, is charged with first-degree arson in Shelby County juvenile court.